beta-carrageenan, processes for its preparation, and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

Purified and substantially pure beta-carrageenan and processes for their preparation. Purified beta-carrageenan can be obtained from a marine macroalga containing beta-carrageenan and/or a precursor thereof by the steps of:A. where the macroalga contains a precursor of beta-carrageenan, reacting the macroalga with an alkaline compound to convert the precursor to beta-carrageenan,B. extracting carrageenan from the macroalga,C. treating the extracted carrageenan with an aqueous quaternary ammonium salt to form a precipitate and an aqueous solution,D. separating the solution from the precipitate, andE. isolating purified beta-carrageenan from the solution.Substantially pure beta-carrageenan can be obtained from purified beta-carrageenan by the further steps of:F. forming a solution of purified beta-carrageenan in water,G. contacting the solution with an ion exchange agent that removes carrageenan which contains sulfate ester from the solution,H. removing the resulting solution from contact with the ion exchange agent, andI. isolating substantially pure beta-carrageenan from the solution.



